Biz Tips Blog: Online Marketing, Visibility and Business Blogging Tips

Moveon.org and The Christian Coalition Unite

Over the past few weeks I've posted a few items about the fight between "the little guys" on the Internet vs. the telecom giants who want to take over in such a way as to deliver content faster and better when they are paid by the content provider.

Many forces have joined together to fight Congress and encourage them to defeat a bill and preserve Net Neutrality.  Maybe no odder partnership is that of Moveon.org and The Christian Coalition.  They've joined forces to raise money to place an ad in the New York Times to show Congress that organizations and business across the spectrum are fighting to preserve freedom on the Internet.  You can download a draft copy of the ad here.  If you have a website and do any kind of business on the Internet, this is an important issue.  Please consider making a contribution.  I have.

Net Neutrality: Letter to Chairman Sensenbrenner

I'm on the mailing list for business owners interested in preserving net neutrality.  Following is a letter sent to Chairman Sensenbrenner, for your information. I'm also working on getting an interview with a VP from Amazon.com about this issue.  Stay tuned.

May 24, 2006

The Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary

United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Sensenbrenner:

We would like to thank you, Ranking Member Conyers, and the Members of the Judiciary Committee for your recognition of the importance of Net Neutrality for the protection of American consumers, competition and our global competitiveness.  H.R. 5417, “The Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2006” addresses the need for meaningful and enforceable Net Neutrality legislation to ensure that the Internet continues as a vital force of innovation and economic benefit for all Americans.

Entrepreneurs Overpay?

Ok, this doesn't have to do with Internet marketing, but it is an important issue for all us solo professionals and entrepreneurs.

I was reading an article from LegalZoom about the Top Five Expenses Entrepreneurs Overpay For.  They are:

1. Insurance
2. Taxes
3. Employees
4. Advertising
5. Themselves

I can relate to #1 and #2 the most.  I use Virtual Assistants instead of regular employees on a payroll, so I don't think I overpay for that.  Advertising?  I don't engage in traditional advertising but I may be overpaying for what I do with pay per click.  Myself?  Ha!

It's a good article. Be sure to read how you can save on some of these expenses.

Internet Marketing NewsWatch

A new website has just been launched.  Internet Marketing NewsWatch is covering everything that has to do with Internet marketing and is monitoring blogs, ezines, and press releases to bring the cream of the crop in Internet marketing news.

You can submit your own press releases, marketing tips and marketing news.  Check it out.  I'm going to keep my eye on this site to see if it can help me wade through the masses of information that is available on Internet marketing.

Internet Commerce: A Fine Example

This morning I read a story in the New York Times by The Thrifty Millionaire about her experience finding custom shirts for her husband.  I loved the story because it is an excellent example of how to do business on the Internet. 

The site she found is called MyTailor.com and walks you through the entire process of measuring and customizing the shirt you want, all for a very reasonable price.  Every step allows you to customize your product from stitching to monograms to pleats and collar shape. And, the shirt that was ordered, and custom made in Hong Kong, fit her husband perfectly.  All from an online experience.  No longer do you need to make a trip to the tailor or pay hundreds of dollars for a custom shirt. 

The question to ask yourself is, "how can I provide a custom experience for my website customer?"